Newspaper

Newton police are investigating the murders of a 4-year-old girl who was stabbed to death as well as her 24-year-old mother. Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Newton police found the two bodies in a house located at Roanoke Court, in northern Newton, south of Old Highway 81, and found two bodies in a home. Newton Police Chief Eric Murphy said the child had multiple stab wounds but did not know the exact cause of death of her mother.

He said that the Newton Police Department has a suspect in mind who has yet to be arrested. He said police are not announcing his name or his vehicle because of the sensitivity of the case. He said the suspect had been residing in Newton and had previously been arrested by law enforcement. Murphy added that the killing was targeted and that the suspect had a prior relationship with the victims. Murphy did not believe that the public was in any danger. Law enforcement believes an acquaintance of the victims reported the crime. Roanoke Court is overseen by the Newton Housing Authority, which provides public housing in the City of Newton. There are 16 rental units available in the development built in 1978.